HighSchool DxD Volume 20 (Deterrence)

—The Underworld, Fallen Angel’s Territory.
A series of resorts were being developed for the VIPs of various factions by the Fallen Angels, one after the other. In the corner of one such accommodation which had already opened for business, there was a single youth who was at the swimming pool. The youth was lying on a deck chair underneath the parasols which were lined up along the side of the pool. The youth’s gaze was focused on the surface of the water; he was watching an image that was visible only to him. Shown within the image was an enormous beast which released a fearsome aura, as well as a countless number of red-coloured Plate Mail which were drifting around it. The youth watched the image on the surface of the water with great interest — he watched the scene which could be considered as the beginning of the Apocalypse whilst moving the pieces on the board which was placed on the table beside him.

“Chaturaji [1]—. It’s said to be the origin of Chess and Shogi.”

There was suddenly a voice. The youth darted his eyes over, and noticed that a bewitchingly beautiful and attractive male Devil was now standing there, without him realising. The male Devil sat down on the deck chair on the opposite side of the table, and then moved a piece on the game board which was laid upon the table — one of the pieces of Chaturaji. The male Devil said to the youth

“Shiva-sama, what a coincidence for us to meet in a place like this.”

The youth who was called Shiva — no, the God of Destruction grinned.

“Should it be called coincidence, or inevitability? —It’s nice to meet you for the first time, current Beelzebub Ajuka.”

Shiva accepted the male Devil — Ajuka Beezebub’s invitation and also began to move the pieces of Chaturaji. Ajuka continued to play as he said

“The rumours say that you’ve accepted the request of the Three Factions to stop Trihexa.”

Shiva also continued the conversation while moving his pieces.

“Well, sort of. However…this is beyond my expectations. —I’m afraid that even if I faced it head on, I wouldn’t be able to defeat it. It’s impossible to seal it without triggering a battle on the level of world destruction.”

“Sealing huh. As the God of Destruction who could destroy the world, you’ll only seal it?”

In response to Ajuka’s words, Shiva shrugged.

“Indeed, it is impossible even for me to kill it. Didn’t you and Azazel understand this from the very beginning? The most that can be done is a sealing, and that would be the best possible outcome. I will certainly bring destruction to it, but mere destruction will not kill it; that legendary beast-kun is not so weak.”

“—In order to ‘destroy’ it, only the former Ophis in her prime or Great Red who wanders about in the Dimensional Gap could do it.”

“So, the reason that you’ve come here is?”

Shiva asked while yawning. Ajuka raised two fingers.

“There are two things. My friend — Sirzechs, please do not hinder him. In order to prevent you from causing destruction with this opportunity, please allow me to observe you until the end.”

Behind Ajuka who said that — a woman with beautiful long, pale blue hair had appeared there without him noticing. The woman had a cold atmosphere floating about her, and there was an extremely powerful dragon’s aura within her body. Shiva immediately understood that she possessed immense power and was able to shift into the form of a human. Shiva recognised her, she would be Tiamat. The strongest Dragon King. She was second to none among dragons. And in her hand, Tiamat was holding a small blue device, the same colour as her hair — a mobile phone. The instant that Shiva saw that device, he noticed that there was something abnormal about it. Perhaps, no, it was absolutely certain that that mobile phone was related to a Longinus. …Whether it was a real or a fake, since it was prepared by a Super Devil, the first time that the God of Destruction saw it, he seemed slightly afflicted by it. What was that Longinus able to do? And what did they plan to do with that Longinus? But he understood the purpose of the Devil in front of his eyes that had come to this place. Shiva, who saw through everything, made a small smile at the corners of his lips.

“Do you want to eliminate me and Trihexa along with the entire world, Devil-kun?”

In response to Shiva’s question, Ajuka smiled and shook his head.

“No. I never said anything like that. But — if the destruction of the world becomes your objective again, that will be another matter.”

Ajuka’s words greatly piqued Shiva’s interest.

“Eh, this is some really interesting conjecture.”

Shiva concluded that Ajuka more or less came here to visit so that he could grasp what his intentions were. Ajuka didn’t mind, and continued

“After Trihexa defeats Great Red, and opens the gate to another world, what do you plan to do? Do you have an agreement with Azazel-dono in this regard? You were only a deterrent against Trihexa.”

Ah, what a good Devil. This Super Devil had already made speculations on such things. Shiva laughed as he replied

“Ahahahaha, you’re quick to notice, current Beelzebub. Each mythology also fears it, more than you or Sirzechs. But, I do not.”

Ajuka nodded as he smiled eloquently.

“Yes, probably. However, I shall watch over the fate of the world with you here, so let’s become a deterrent to that possibility.”

Ajuka said that as he moved a piece board.

“…I can’t understand what this god and Super Devil are thinking.”

The beautiful woman behind him sighed as if she was uninterested. While moving a piece during his turn, Shiva then said

“Do you plan to do the same thing that Sirzechs Lucifer did when he faced Hades? Do you really value his friendship?”

During the [Devil Uprising] which was caused by the Hero Faction and Old Maou Faction of [Khaos Brigade]; in Olympus — the God of the Realm of the Dead Hades attempted to stir up trouble and take advantage of the confusion. In order to prevent this, the one who personally went to the Realm of the Dead to stop him was Sirzechs Lucifer. Ajuka’s behaviour this time was very similar to that. —But the difference between Hades and Shiva was that the God of Destruction did not feel any resentment, envy, or dissatisfaction towards Devils. However, only a little, he thought that Ajuka’s actions were brave and preferable. If he was childish and tried to flatter him with words, then he would have scorned him. So that’s how it was; Shiva silently nodded. Now, perhaps he understood the reason why Indra — Śakra was so interested in these people. It really was quite interesting, so much so that he wanted to continue watching. After all, that guy Indra, for a new Rigveda [2] — in order to produce a collection of hymns of the world again, he even used the [Pieces] outside of the mythology that he belonged to. —I gained popularity, and that has led to his resentment? While thinking this, he felt that it was would be rather fun to imagine Indra’s reaction. When he mentioned Sirzechs’ name before, he could see that Ajuka’s expression softened for a moment.

“It’s a very simple situation. —If you become an enemy of his, then you’ll naturally become an enemy of mine.”

It was a single line which really showed their deep friendship, and his expression was genuine. It was his true intention. Shiva leaned his elbow on the table and held his face up with that hand as he made a slight smile.

“Fine, very well, we’ll witness it together. —Trihexa, as well as the fate of this world.”

Shiva leisurely said so.

The sky of the Underworld — had already started to become dull, and there was a feeling of tremendous unrest. The effect of awakening the beast which was recorded in the Book of Revelation had already started to appear in the sky of the Underworld. Soon, this miasma would be floating throughout the entire Underworld, and it would drift into the Human World, Heaven, and also the worlds of other mythologies. The game — heralded the beginning of an apocalyptic battle.

[1] Chaturaji: A chess-like game for four players originating from India.
[2] Rigveda: An ancient Indian collection of hymns which are dedicated to the Rigvedic deities.

44 Responses to HighSchool DxD Volume 20 (Deterrence)

My brother asked me a tough question that I had no idea how to answer. I thought that I would ask it here. Maybe someone will know the answer. The dragon power that Akeno sucked from Ise, what happened to it? Would it affect Akeno in any way? Is there a chance that her powers could be affected by Draigs power. Sorry for this question, but I had no idea what happened to it. Wow it looks like it was three questions.

It’s canon, but Ishibumi has said we don’t need to read it and that we can just go on reading the main story without worrying about it. But I thought it was a pretty interesting read, so I think you should read it. Just beware of plot-holes (that hopefully we filled in a sequel to the main story later).

A six part novel written by the author of HS DxD, HS DxD EX, which came out with the BorN Blu-Ray Discs, has a time-travel-related plot. It also tells us about Ise’s kids who came back from the future. You should read it.

It’s in this thread on Anime-Suki Forums (summaries): http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=138173. The links to the first five parts are on the first page, Post #11. You’ll have to search the thread for the sixth part. Be sure to read the discussion, too, if you have the time.

I tend to think up some crazy theories. I have come up with yet another, here it goes. Earlier in series, Draig told Ise that not even the two dragons could really remember why they were fighting when they were defeated by the coalition anymore. What if the reason why Albion and Draig were fighting at that particular time, was over Tiamat? I know that they fought due to their rivalry for years. Maybe Tiamat was in love with Draig. What if Tiamat was angry over Draig dying over that? She may not hate him, as much as she was hurt over not being able to be with Draig. To me that battle was the only one that gave a hint that there was more to it than just rivalry. Well that is it. My two cents.

You’re really not the only who’s thought of this, you know? There are many others, including myself, who believe this could be the case. I’m happy to know you also share this opinion, so welcome aboard! 🙂

I agree with the second list more. After all, it’s impossible for Ise to ever go into a complete Juggernaut Drive now since Cardinal Crimson Queen replaced it. Illegal Move Triaina and Cardinal Crimson Queen reminded Ddraig of his original power from when he was alive, and once Ise has mastered and fully stabilized and tuned it to himself, Cardinal Crimson Queen will also be just as powerful as Ddraig when he was alive. Whereas Juggernaut Drive was only as powerful as Ddraig was when he was alive, but felt really ominous and dangerous and overall nothing like Ddraig’s power when he was alive.

And I think that since Cardinal Crimson Queen is the “True Queen,” the final and strongest form of the Triaina, they should be mentioned one right after the other. Even though he never came up with it, Ise did say he should think of a name that encompasses all four modes after unlocking the “True Queen”. And to fully tune and stabilize it, mastering all three of the Triaina forms is required, as it’ll translate to mastery and stabilization of the Cardinal Crimson Queen. And when he first used it against Sairaorg, Ddraig said that it’s unstable and also needs to be tuned to him.

I don’t think Vishnu will fight in this arc
the author mentioned in one of the afterwords he planned on doing the destruction god Shiva arc and he might make an appearance there
Vishnu is one of the top ten strongest beings according to vali lucifer,so he might make an appearance as mentioned above

From what was revealed of his children in the future in HS DxD EX, it looks like there are around 11 or so. But we didn’t get to see all of the kids, nor were all of the mothers revealed, so there might also be more than we think.

from what the info in DXD EX each wife had one kid so im guessing that issei has more then 20 wives in the future, cause its stated that he has a equal amount of kids and with the 10 that came from the future we know that they were the ones that where old enough and had combat strenght

It’s also possible for him to have had two or more with some of the girls. All we know, really, is that there are as many fighters among them as there are non-fighters and that most of the fighters appeared in EX except for Le Fay’s kid (who sounded like he’s one of the fighters).

i dont think that the great shiva whos the destroyer is unable to kill the beast because everything starts with shiva and ends with him…you see he is the gods of gods..according to indian mythology all the demons and devils wants to gain power they worship lord shiva..so i really doubt that the entire world that revolves around him couldn’t kill the beast…

Well the thing is that shiva is called gods of gods, i know that brahma is a creator but it is been said everything starts with shiva and ends with him whenever a life ends it has to pass through shiva for its peace. You see someone has to be there who can controll everypart and everything in the universe..he is also named as restorer…He is Anant, one who is neither found born nor found dead…

Oh maaann, this chapter is way more hype than I thought so from rough translation and the summaries. So it foreshadowed Sirzechs’ movement huh. And it really makes me dislike the way Ajuka was shown in BorN… as if it didn’t do enough injustice. Thanks zx, you’re the best.

Major parts of a story. It’s an arc because if you look at in a story-boarding chart, it’s shaped like an arc. I’m sure we’ve all learned about this in English class while learning about the exposition, climax and all that. It’s not a different series; it’s about the plot of the same series. A story arc.

Whether below-attempted hypnosis worked or not, I don’t really care, but it’s still good that this chapter was updated. Thanks, TripleZerox! And I’m happy that I didn’t see anything typos to point out.

Anyway, this was a pretty interesting chapter. Ajuka’s and Sirzechs’ friendship is great and I like it, and I’m also loving Tiamat. I really wonder what her real relationship with Ddraig is and whether she truly hates him or not like Ddraig thinks.